I’m here cause it’s supports Me mentally. You don’t feel on yr own . And the resources have help too. Bless you all

welcome to the group!!!

Having a child if you have epilepsy is no different. Most parents with epilepsy do not have children with epilepsy, and the chances of inheriting epilepsy are generally low. The risk for any child to develop epilepsy by the age of 20 is around 1% (1 in 100), and the risk may increase to around 2 to 5 in 100 (2 -5%) for most children of parents with epilepsy.

However having a child with epilepsy is no less a blessing. Remember that.

Anyone having a child should have a close relationship with their health providers (GP, neurologist, obstetrician etc). My neurologist has always said it is best to be on mono-therapy (one medication) however, overall it is better to have well controlled epilepsy.

It is important for all women, but particularly women taking AEDs (anti-epileptic drugs), to take foelic acid (folate) to reduce your chances of side effects from the AEDs. Folate should be taken daily prior to becoming pregnant since most women do not know they are pregnant until after the time of neural tube closure (24-28 days after conception). This protects against any potential central nervous system defects. Any woman of child bearing age should be taking folate anyway.

During pregnancy, like all women, you would take supplements, eg. calcium, to help you and the baby through this process.

It is important to minimise your fatigue during this time, but again your neurologist would discuss this.

Breastfeeding can be an issue with certain medications but your doctor/neurologist would advise you of that if relevant to you.

My neurologist always said it was best to set up a plan with him prior to becoming pregnant.

Also once pregnant you should sign up for pregnancy registers. In Australia (where I am from) the Australian Pregnancy Register (APR) seek women with epilepsy, or other women taking AEDs, who are pregnant or have recently given birth, to help understand the effects of these medications on the mother and developing baby during pregnancy. It is the only way to gather research data to help other women and babies in the future. Epilepsy trials for medication side effects, once at human trials, is only done on men.

Beyond that, have a child, be happy. You and partner deserve a child just like anyone else.

https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/women/...

https://www.epilepsysociety.org.uk/pregnancy-an...

Yes , you can have kids, but you'll be at high risk. I had 3 daughters, and with all of them I was high risk. They may have to change your medication, so your child won't any birth defects. It's a possibility that your child may have Epilepsy, if it's hereditary.Don't let that stop you God is by your side if you only BELIEVE. God bless.